Abstract: Each of a first and a second navigation satellite system (NSS) are adapted to operate according to a first and a second specification, respectively, and each includes a first and a second plurality of satellite vehicles (SV), respectively. Each of the first and the second plurality of SVs are adapted to be identified by a first and a second plurality of unique corresponding identifications (IDs), respectively. A processor is adapted to receive and identify a first plurality of corresponding signals transmitted from the first plurality of SVs in response to the first plurality of unique corresponding IDs. The processor is adapted to receive and identify a second plurality of corresponding signals transmitted from the second plurality of SVs in response to the second plurality of unique corresponding IDs. The processor is adapted to determine position location information in response to receiving and identifying the first plurality of corresponding signals and the second plurality of corresponding signals.

Abstract: A handheld electronic device, such as a GPS-enabled wireless communications device with an embedded camera, a GPS-enabled camera-phone or a GPS-enabled digital camera, determines whether ephemeris data needs to be obtained for geotagging digital photos taken with the device. By monitoring user activity with respect to the camera, such as activation of the camera, the device can begin pre-acquisition of a GPS position fix by obtaining needed ephemeris data before the photograph is actually taken. This GPS pre-acquisition improves the likelihood that a position fix (GPS lock) is achieved by the time the photo is taken (to enable immediate geotagging). Alternatively, the photo can be geotagged retroactively by appending the current location to the metadata tag associated with the digital photo. An optional acquisition status indicator can be displayed on a user interface of the device to indicate that a position fix is being obtained.

Abstract: An apparatus for location determination includes a location determination receiver configured to receive location determination signals, a location determination signal quality assessment component configured to assess a quality of received location determination signals, and a location determination processor responsive to an output of the location determination signal quality component. The apparatus determining a location of the location determination receiver based on the location determination signals that are received during time periods when the location determination signal meets or exceeds a location determination signal quality threshold. A method for location determination is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tracking method includes enabling a target device to obtain a location information thereof, and enabling the target device to generate a uniform resource locator (URL), which contains the location information obtained thereby and a location of an electronic map-containing webpage of a website. The electronic map-containing webpage contains an electronic map, and an indication of a location of the target device on the electronic map.

Abstract: A non-GPS capable stationary device and method thereof is presented that permits the stationary device to receive location and time information from a mobile, GPS capable device using a non-GPS wireless protocol. This permits the stationary device to make use of the location information in combination with other information from the stationary device, communicated from the mobile device and/or communicated from other devices in a network of devices connected to the stationary device, to customize features of the stationary device accordingly. The stationary device is activated through an external trigger or automatically through an internal trigger.

Abstract: A reception environment is determined to be a multipath environment when the difference (positioning altitude difference) between the maximum value (maximum altitude) and the minimum value (minimum altitude) of the altitudes of candidate present positions P of respective satellite sets exceeds a given threshold value (e.g., 200 m), and is determined to be an open-sky environment when the positioning altitude difference is equal to or less than the given threshold value. When the reception environment is the open-sky environment, an evaluation point E of each satellite set is calculated using a known evaluation method based on the number of satellites, a PDOP value, and the like.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for a power aggregation system. In one implementation, a service establishes individual Internet connections to numerous electric resources intermittently connected to the power grid, such as electric vehicles. The Internet connection may be made over the same wire that connects the resource to the power grid. The service optimizes power flows to suit the needs of each resource and each resource owner, while aggregating flows across numerous resources to suit the needs of the power grid. The service can bring vast numbers of electric vehicle batteries online as a new, dynamically aggregated power resource for the power grid. Electric vehicle owners can participate in an electricity trading economy regardless of where they plug into the power grid.

Abstract: The optimization system monitors a mobile phone user's behavior in response to an offer for a reward and determines a good level for a product promotion. The determination may be made based upon the user's current response, past response patterns to various reward levels or a correlation between a user's behavior and the behavior corresponding to a class of users. The system can determine an offer level that maximizes the return on the profit or revenue from a potential purchase for which the offer applies.

Abstract: Certain of the disclosed embodiments present a system and method for providing in-home targeted advertisements to individual consumers. For instance, the disclosed embodiments include an in-home advertising device that enables a user to interact with the in-home advertising device and purchase items with the push of a button. Additionally, in some embodiments, the in-home advertising device may include a built in printer for enabling a user to print an advertised and/or coupon.

Abstract: A method of targeted marketing includes the step of establishing a targeted marketing geographic area for a business. The method further includes the step of determining the location of a subscriber customer. In addition the method includes the step of sending promotional material for the business to the subscriber customer when the subscriber customer is located in the geographic area for targeted marketing.

Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for content selection, delivery and payment may comprise a management entity that coordinates operation of one or more endpoint devices. The one or more endpoint devices may be operable to select one or more parameters associated with a particular content type from the management entity. The particular content type may specify a type of media content that is handled by the one or more endpoint devices. The one or more endpoint devices may be operable to receive configuration information from the management entity based on the selected one or more parameters associated with the particular content type. The one or more endpoint devices may be configured utilizing the received configuration information. The one or more endpoint devices may be operable to pay for the received configuration information.

Abstract: A method of promoting travel includes the step of providing a website for promoting travel destinations for access by subscriber consumers and compiling promotional offers of all participating entities by travel destination. The method further includes allowing the subscriber consumer to select a travel destination and a promotional offer of interest. Further, the method includes sending the selected promotional offer to the subscriber consumer by means of text messaging on a mobile communication device of the subscriber consumer or customer.

Abstract: A method for determining location such as vehicle location receives data at a predetermined frequency, validates the received data, stores the received data based on the validation and computes a location based on the stored data. The validation includes verifying a presence of particular data substrings within the received data, verifying a presence of a plurality of data fields within each data substring, computing a parameter based on information contained in two of the plurality of data fields and comparing the computer parameter with a pre-defined threshold.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide methods for positioning transmitting stations, such as cell towers. Further, aspects of the disclosure provide a database for storing information of the transmitting stations. In addition, aspects of the disclosure provide methods for positioning a moving object having a receiver based on the database of the transmitting stations and wireless signals transmitted by the transmitting stations. The methods increase in-transit location visibility of shipment while reducing GNSS usage, and thus reduce power consumption. The methods allow positioning receiving stations when GNSS signals may not be available, such as due to interference.

Abstract: An object position information tag apparatus, which is attached to an object and transmits position information of the object, includes a global positioning system (GPS) module for receiving a satellite signal from a GSP satellite and calculating the position information of the object and a communication module for transmitting data of the position information being input from the GPS module and a unique identification (ID) code being distinctive for each object to an external device through radio communication. Accordingly, it is possible to effectively recognize positions of products or equipment to which the tag apparatus is attached, regardless of the number and storage place of products or equipment, based on which information regarding movement, storage, and shipping of the open-air stored or stored products or equipment can be collectively gathered and managed.

Abstract: Methods and by which a radio signal transmitter of a photographic device may be configured to adhere to the local legal and regulatory limits of a specific region based on a locational fix data derived from a global positioning system GPS receiver of the photographic device.

Abstract: The present invention generally concerns the technical field of road engineering and road safety and relates to an interactive control system (1) for controlling an urban and extra-urban road network (R) subjected to standards and/or restrictions, comprising: road signage means (2) distributed throughout the network (R) for indicating such standards and restrictions; a plurality of remote devices (3) designed to be installed on motor vehicles (A); first detection means (4) for collecting first data about traffic conditions; a main control unit (5) connected to the first detection means (4) and to the road signage means (2) for processing the first data and providing pieces of information to users; transceiver means (6) associated with the road signage means (2) for reception/transmission of the first data from the road signage means (2) to the remote devices (3); the road signage means (2) and the remote devices (3) include first and second interactive means (8, 9) respectively for displaying images and/or wo

Abstract: A system implements a location based service, and comprises a satellite navigation receiver implementing a position tracking function for providing the location of a user of the service. An analogue rf receiver (12) receives satellite signals and performs at least a frequency downconversion. Correlation and decoding functions are applied to the downconverted signals for deriving location information from detected specific satellite signals. The system further comprises a server (30) for receiving samples of the downconverted signals, and for verifying the samples are consistent with the expected satellite signals at that time and location. The invention provides a counter measure for detecting the counterfeiting of, or tampering with, the satellite signals at the receiver. A check can be made that the received satellite signals correspond to those which are expected at that location and time.

Abstract: There are situations where GPS signals are received from less than four satellites. In order to improve the GPS location availability, disclosed here are systems and methods for synthesizing GPS measurements, which, together with fewer than four available real GPS signals, can be used to calculate a position fix. In particular, GPS range measurements for lost satellites, which are satellites that were previously tracked but are now not tracked, are synthesized to improve GPS signal availability. The synthesized measurements are used along with real measurements to enable accurate position fix even when GPS satellite availability is poor. Different synthesized measurement generation schemes, depending on whether an INS/DR aiding system is available, are further described herein.

Abstract: The system comprises a positioning-unit device (PUD) that receives, from other PUDs and other signal sources, one or more positioning signals, which each have carrier, code and data componcuts. In response to the received positioning signals and using their known locations, the PUD generates a unique positioning signal, which similarly has carrier, code and data components, all of which are respectively chronologically synchronized to the counterpart components of the received positioning signals. Once synchronized, other PUDs entering the network use the unique positioning signal as a reference, providing a time-coherent network of positioning signals that propagate a reference timebase over a geographical area.

Abstract: Systems and methods for extrapolating GPS coordinates beyond line of sight are disclosed. A coordinate extrapolation system (CES) can include a memory, a processor, and a GPS receiver. The CES can receive GPS signals and determine GPS coordinates corresponding to a location. If GPS signals are unavailable, the CES models the surface of the earth and extrapolates the GPS coordinates corresponding to the location at which GPS signals are unavailable. Methods for extrapolating the GPS coordinates and calibrating the CES are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for site calibration of a controller is provided. In one embodiment, a method may include determining coordinates of a point in a first coordinate system based on at least one measurement by a surveying device, determining coordinates of the point in a second coordinate system based on data provided by a global positioning device, and calculating a transformation of the first coordinate system relative to the second coordinate system based on the coordinates determined for the point. The method may further include calibrating the controller based, at least in part, on the transformation.

Abstract: Embodiments provided herein recite methods and systems for corroborating position system code from Navigation Satellite System (NSS) signals. In one embodiment, a NSS high yield module attempts to determine a high yield location solution based on a first set of PRN codes. In addition, a NSS high accuracy module attempts to determine a high accuracy location solution based on signal processing of the same first set of PRN codes. A location solution corroborator module receives input from both the NSS high yield module and the NSS high accuracy module and generates a corroborated location solution. In one embodiment, a position provider outputs the corroborated location solution.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method of locating a vehicle, comprising: a) connecting a removable locator device to the vehicle, said locator device automatically noting when it has been connected to the vehicle and then using locating technology to retrieve, at regular intervals, location coordinates for the current location of said locator device, said location coordinates approximating the location of the vehicle; b) sensing a loss of connection between the locator device and the vehicle; c) automatically storing, as a waypoint on the locator device, the last location coordinates retrieved prior to sensing said loss of connection; and, d) removing the locator device from the vehicle to enable use of the locator device to return to the stored waypoint, wherein the stored waypoint represents the approximate location of the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for real-time location and inquiry based information delivery are described. Embodiments of a method for real-time location and inquiry based information delivery include receiving, using a processor and memory, a customer inquiry. The customer inquiry includes product information indicative of a customer's interest in a particular product. The method further receives location information indicative of the customer's current geographical location, determines additional product information based on the customer inquiry, identifies one or more incentives for presentation to the customer based on at least a portion of the product information and the location information. The customer inquiry is received prior to any solicitation of the customer's interest in the particular product.

Abstract: A smart energy gateway (SEG) operable to optimize energy consumption in a manner that optionally reduces user costs and/or emissions. The SEG may include a controller operable to manage energy distribution between one or more sources and one or more loads include within a vehicle according to one or more energy distribution schedules, such as but not limited to energy distribution schedules weight according to monetary and/or emission-based valuation metrics.

Abstract: A wireless tracking device including a positioning system for determining a location of the device and a processor connected to the positioning system. The wireless tracking device further including a wireless radio connected to the processor for transmitting the location of the device across a wireless area network. A vehicle monitoring system including a sensor, a microcontroller configured to receive a sensor input from the sensor and determine a vehicle condition data, and a wireless transmitter in communication with the microcontroller. The wireless transmitter is configured to transmit the vehicle condition data to a remote data network access point. A method of monitoring a vehicle including determining a status of the vehicle, locating an available wireless data network access point, and transmitting the status of the vehicle though the access point.

Abstract: Systems and methods for use with a service provider and a consumer electronic device include a trusted remote attestation agent (TRAA) configured to perform a set of checking procedures or mechanisms to help ensure the security status of a consumer electronic device (e.g., a mobile terminal or phone) that holds financial instruments. The checking procedures may include: self-verifying integrity by the TRAA; checking for presence of a provisioning SIM card (one that was present when the financial instruments were enabled on the device); checking that a communication connection between the consumer electronic device and the service provider is available and active; and checking that communication connectivity to a home mobile network is available and active. The frequency of the checking mechanisms may be adjusted, for example, according to a risk-profile of a user associated with the device or the location (e.g., GPS location) of the device.

Abstract: A position determination method includes: performing a positioning process that calculates a located position by performing positioning calculations using satellite signals; determining whether or not a convergence condition is satisfied based on current and preceding positioning results when the positioning process is performed, the convergence condition being specified as a condition for determining whether or not the positioning results of the repeated positioning processes have converged; and determining the located position calculated by the current positioning process to be an output position when the convergence condition is satisfied.

Abstract: A set of device parameters consisting of clock bias and position of a mobile device is determined without previous knowledge of the week number (WN) in that solutions of a set of equations derived from a least squares type weight function involving pseudoranges related to the device parameters via basic equations are attempted with a time of week (TOW) extracted from satellite signals and various week number candidates. A solution algorithm which iteratively solves the set of equations is used, each iteration step involving a linearization of the latter and resulting in corrections of the device parameters. After elimination of week numbers where the solution algorithm does not yield a solution a valid week number is selected from the remaining week numbers in that a deviation value is determined which reflects differential terms, i.e., differences between pseudorange values as measured and as derived from the set of device parameters according to the solution, e.g., by evaluation of the weight function.

Abstract: A vehicle communication terminal stops a currently-operating GPS engine when a vehicle is put into a parking condition, memorizes a station number transmitted from a base station that serves as a waiting station, starts the stopped GPS engine when a currently-received station number and plural station numbers memorized after parking do not match, and transmits an emergency report signal including positional information derived from GPS measurement by the GPS engine, pre-registered vehicle information and the like through a communication network to a center terminal or a user terminal for suppressing vehicle battery capacity loss while timely performing an emergency report in case of vehicle theft.

Abstract: Devices and methods are described for determining position information without broadcast ephemeris data for extended time periods. A client device is disclosed that stores satellite states determined from broadcast ephemeris and numerically integrates equations of motion with regard to the stored satellite states to determine current satellites states. The client device uses the current satellite states in conjunction with received satellite signals to determine where the satellite signals were received.

Abstract: Signals output from two filters included in a filter section 70 and differing in passband are respectively stored in different memories included in a memory section 80, and a positioning process is performed based on the signal stored in the memory. Specifically, the signal strength of a received signal is calculated by a coherent accumulation process and an incoherent accumulation process, and a signal system used for positioning is alternatively switched to a high-sensitivity system S1 or a high-accuracy system S2 as a result of determining whether or not the signal strength is equal to or greater than a threshold value.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for the processing of false alarms in position determination. At least one embodiment of the present invention estimates and uses measurement false alarm probabilities in the position determination process. In one embodiment, the estimated measurement false alarm probabilities are combined to determine the reliability of the determined position solution or the reliability of the set of measurements as a collection. In one embodiment, the estimated measurement false alarm probabilities are used in the isolation and elimination of faulty measurements. For example, the traditional geometry based metric for identifying a faulty measurement is further weighted according to the measurement false alarm probabilities in order to determine the faulty measurement.

Abstract: A method and system of improving Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) results by compensating for antenna tilt in determining the location of the GNSS receiver is disclosed. In general, the angle of tilt of the antenna is determined. The actual elevation of a satellite is determined. The effective elevation of the satellite relative to the antenna is then calculated.

Abstract: A system for measuring the pseudo range from a first GPS sensor to a designated navigational satellite, for use in a satellite positioning system (SPS) is comprised of first and second GPS sensors for receiving and recording first and second portions of the signal transmitted by the designated navigational satellite, the recordings referred to as the first and second datagrams; and means for transmitting the first and second datagrams to a datagram processing facility wherein the pseudo range from the first GPS sensor to the designated navigational satellite is extracted.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for providing simplified seismological surveys with increased accuracy and ease of use. The present invention uses data received from satellite positioning systems to obtain time and position information. The information is used to determine transmission times of pressure waves between a seismic source and a seismic sensor.

Abstract: A system for measuring the pseudo range from a target GPS sensor to a designated navigational satellite, for use in a satellite positioning system (SPS) is comprised of multiple GPS sensors for receiving and recording portions of the signals transmitted by designated navigational satellites, the recordings referred to as datagrams; and means for transmitting the datagrams to a datagram processing facility wherein the pseudo range from the target GPS sensor to the designated navigational satellite is derived.

Abstract: A receiver that receives a plurality of signals that are modulated with a common carrier, where each signal of said signals originates at a different source and experiences a transit delay and Doppler frequency shift before reaching the receiver, and where the transit delay and Doppler frequency shift are related to position and movement of each of the respective sources. The receiver includes means, such as a directional antenna, to ensure that the received signals are bona fide, or at least not subject to the same bogus signal or signals to which a second receiver may be subjected.

Abstract: A celestial direction finding system. The system includes an inclinometer, at least one camera for imaging both the daytime sky and the nighttime sky and a computer programmed with a sun, moon and star catalog and algorithms for automatically determining directions based on positions of celestial bodies imaged by at least one camera and incline positions measured by the inclinometer. In a preferred embodiment all of the above features are combined in a single battery operated miniature celestial direction finding module. Geographical positions of nearby objects can be determined with the addition of a rangefinder and knowledge of the geographical position of the camera. The geographical position of the system in preferred embodiments can be determined with the addition of a GPS unit.

Abstract: An emergency call device for a vehicle is specified in which, on occurrence of a certain event, a data record is generated which thereupon is transmitted during the emergency call. The event can be an external request by an operator or a trigger signal inside a vehicle. In this way, the operator can obtain the most recent information at any time during the emergency call.

Abstract: A method for electrically charging a high-voltage battery of a subject vehicle includes resolving a geographic location of the subject vehicle at a remote charging site, electrically charging the high-voltage battery through a connection of the subject vehicle to an electric power outlet at the remote charging site, monitoring cumulative electric power flow to the high-voltage battery of the subject vehicle, communicating the cumulative electric power flow to a central server, and reconciling billing for the cumulative electric power flow between an owner of the subject vehicle and an owner of the remote charging site.

Abstract: A positioning apparatus includes: a position computing part configured to receive signals from a plurality of radio transmitters to compute a position of the positioning apparatus; a reception status determining part configured to determine a reception state of the signals from the plurality of the radio transmitters; and an intermittent drive setting part configured to set a time interval for receiving signals by the position computing part according to the reception state determined by the reception status determining part.

Abstract: A hybrid Global Positioning System (GPS) receiving method, and associated GPS receiving apparatus is provided. The GPS receiving apparatus includes an RF front-end circuit, a correlation circuit, an acquisition engine and a bidirectional interface control unit. The RF front-end receiving circuit receives a satellite signal and converts the same into a baseband signal. The acquisition engine, coupled to the correlation circuit, determines reception power of the GPS satellite signal. The interface control unit, coupled to the acquisition engine, provides a low-speed interface for transmitting GPS intermediate data that includes a code bin, a frequency bin, navigation data, a local system time and a GPS time. The interface control unit includes a memory interface unit for coupling to a memory.

Abstract: An apparatus for location determination includes a location determination receiver configured to receive location determination signals, a location determination signal quality assessment component configured to assess a quality of received location determination signals, and a location determination processor responsive to an output of the location determination signal quality component. The apparatus determining a location of the location determination receiver based on the location determination signals that are received during time periods when the location determination signal meets or exceeds a location determination signal quality threshold. A method for location determination is also disclosed.

Abstract: A positioning device includes a phase calculation section which performs a correlation process of a specific positioning base code replica and a positioning base code from a specific transmission source to calculate a present phase of the positioning base code, an estimated phase calculation section which calculates an estimated phase when estimating the present phase based on the phase used for preceding positioning, a Doppler shift of a frequency of a radio wave carrying the positioning base code, and an elapsed time from the preceding positioning, a phase difference evaluation section which determines whether or not a phase difference between the calculated present phase and the estimated phase is within a phase difference allowable range specified in advance, and a positioning section which locates a present position using the phase within the phase difference allowable range.

Abstract: An aerial remote sensing platform remotely collects information including environmental monitoring data. The aerial remote sensing platform includes a camera, a microcontroller, and sensors. A ground base station communicates with the aerial remote sensing platform. The microcontroller monitors a pitch, a yaw, and a roll of the aerial remote sensing platform and automatically adjusts a pan and a tilt of a camera accordingly, thereby locking on a region of interest for the capture and processing of visible light and thermographic images of mixing from point source pollutant discharges. The aerial remote sensing platform auto adjustment occurs responsive to the microcontroller, which processes a variety of feedback loop information gathered by the sensors. A viewer is configured to display an analysis of the collected information including visible light and thermographic images. The analysis provided is used to validate a CORMIX simulation model for point source mixing.

Abstract: A portable satellite antenna terminal, comprising a body and a unit within the body for controlling the terminal and terminal functions. Also provided is an antenna mounted to the body for movement relative thereto. The antenna is able to be stowed within the body when not in use. The antenna may be a flat panel antenna and is moveable relative to the body from a stowed position to an in-use position.

Abstract: The disclosed method and system is used to determine the position of a user device. The user device can receive data signals and/or carrier signals from orbiting space vehicles. These data signals can be used for positioning calculation and/or track maintenance of the user device. The disclosed method and system can account for time and frequency biases of the user device. For the track maintenance, a Kalman filter state estimator can be extended to include a velocity of the user device.

Abstract: A monitoring device and system capable of tracking, monitoring and locating a person allows a parent, guardian or supervisor to set inclusive and exclusive limits, permanently or temporally. The device includes a GPS receiver and a cellphone integrated into a band capable of being locked on a limb of person to be monitored. A child armband may have antitamper devices included in the band that prevents its removal and automatically sends alerts if the band is removed. An alert may be initiated and delivered by the system when the device leaves a temporal inclusion zone or when the device strays into an exclusion zone. The device may have an alarm capable of being activated by an authorized agent at a time when the authorities are within ear shot of the alarm. The antennas may be housed within cavities in the band and the electronics for the GPS receiver and wireless communication device may be contained within tamper resistant housing.